• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros, in collaboration with the Bacolod City Government, celebrated the National Arts Month through an art exhibit at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday, which will run until February 28.
Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony of the show titled “Tion sang Taliambong” along with Councilor Em Ang, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on History, Culture and Arts, City Tourism Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, and Rodney Martinez and Patty Jane Ku-Ong, AAB-N founding member/past president, and incumbent treasurer, respectively.
About 34 participating members of the AAB-N exhibited their artwork, which are on sale, with the proceeds to fund future projects of the association, such as free painting workshops for disadvantaged kids in the city.
Mike “Noy” Pillora of the legendary band “Asin”, an honorary member of the AAB-N, and Agustin Chavez – whose works are both part of the art exhibit, rendered an acoustic performance during the opening of the show.
Benitez shared plans for the forthcoming Bacolod Museum to highlight Bacolodnon artists as he sought the need to improve the promotion of the city’s arts and talents. He plans to staple culture and arts activities possibly once a week every month to sustain the endeavor.
“I have no doubt that Bacolodnons are very creative, very artistic, and that what is only needed is a bit more promotion,” the mayor said in his message during the program.
He would like to extend further the promotion of local artistic talents on a regular basis, even beyond February, which is celebrated as Arts Month, and also suggested that they dedicate one week for cultural events during the MassKara Festival to include visual artists, for them to be given a chance to showcase their artistic skills, Benitez said.
The Bacolod Museum, which is going to one of the very iconic buildings to be built in Bacolod, is nearing completion, he said adding that it is part of their promotion strategy to provide a home for local artists and their products or crafts for people to see and experience their creations.
AAB-N, founded by Edgardo “Budot” Lizares in 1975, is the longest-running art group in Negros Island and second in the country next to the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP).
The show is a primer for the association’s 50th anniversary in 2025.
The group will also be conducting “Plein Air (painting activity) at the Plaza”, on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., as part of celebrations of the National Arts Month.*
